368 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



than the organs we have as yet seen, and requires, 

 therefore, a considerable degree of our careful 

 attention to enable us to do justice to it, and to 

 carry in the mind a clear view of this interesting 

 portion of an insect's structure. " If," writes Mr, 

 West wood, " a beetle, and a butterfly, a house- 

 fly, or an aphis, be examined whilst feeding, a 

 totally different apparatus will be found in each, 

 although perfectly adapted for the mode of feed- 

 ing. The beetle is employed in gnawing and 

 tearing in pieces hard or fleshy substances: its 

 instruments of manducation are, therefore, horny 

 and robust. The butterfly, on the contrary, has to 

 seek its food at the bottom of the tubes of flowers ; 

 and here in the glowing beams of the sun it revels 

 in its existence, and sips the most delicious nectar. 

 It is necessary for this purpose that it should be 

 provided with a long and slender instrument ; but, 

 from the very structure of this apparatus, it is 

 essential for its defence, that, so soon as the insect 

 has ceased feeding, the instrument should be 

 lodged in a place of safety. It is, therefore, rolled 

 up in a beautiful spiral direction, and laid to rest 

 between a pair of hairy appendages, which will 

 defend it from injury. If we observe a common 



